DC SCORES covers DC: H.D. Cooke Elementary School, Ward 1

As DC SCORES has grown over the past several years -- from 20 schools, to adding middle schools in 2006, to 27 schools, then 42, and now to 60 sites, including several recreation centers that make up the first-ever DC City Soccer League -- we've expanded our reach across Washington, DC. And now we serve 2,200 kids in neighborhoods throughout the entire city -- meaning all eight wards. This fall, we'll bring to you a highlight program in each ward.

The series continues with H.D. Cooke Elementary School in Ward 1. As the school does not have its own soccer field for each practice, H.D. Cooke students walk uphill from their campus on 17th Street to Meridian Hill Park/Malcolm X Park. Here, with its beautiful views, the children can appreciate a local treasure. However, the lack of playing space means that each weekly game is away. The Bulls don't let the travel wear them down though; they are always as enthusiastic as any other team to be playing!

WARD 1 PROGRAMS
Bancroft Elementary School (1999)
Cardozo Education Campus (2010)
Cesar Chavez Public Charter Middle School for Public Policy – Chavez Prep (2012)
Harrison Recreation Center — Elementary (2015)
Harrison Recreation Center — Middle (2015)
H.D. Cooke Elementary School (2005)
Lincoln Middle School (2007)
Marie Reed Elementary School (1994)
Parkview Recreation Center — Elementary (2015)
Parkview Recreation Center — Middle (2015)
Tubman Elementary School (2001)

H.D. Cooke FUN FACTS
Year DC SCORES started: 2006
Ward: 1
Team mascot: Bulls
Uniform color: Aqua
Coaches: Soccer -- Keith Downing, Liana Ponce, Megan Burleigh; Poetry -- Katie Bell, Kelly White
2016 service-learning project: The Bulls beautified their school grounds by creating and nurturing a garden.

COACHES' CORNER
Katie Bell, a 3rd Grade ESL teacher, speaks about how having multiple languages in the learning environment can positively affect her students:

"We have a lot of students here that immigrated from other countries or who are second generation immigrants who are bilingual, so having the soccer component but also the writing component, where they are able to express themselves in English and we're encouraging them to write in Spanish as well, has been very powerful for them. I think it's a really great way for a lot of our English language learner students to build on their writing skills outside of the school day in a more fun and comfortable environment for them than the traditional academic setting might be, but it's also a place to build friendships and practice speaking English with their peers or for other students who maybe are already bilingual or grew up in the United States for them to take a leadership role. It's really cool to see how all of our students on the team have come together to identify themselves as a support system for other students regardless of their grade, regardless of how long they've been playing or writing for the team."


KID TALK
"I didn't think that poetry would be fun, but on the first day, we got to make a fun poem and students made very funny poems and we had fun laughing so I knew that the school year would be more fun with DC SCORES." - Katelynn, 9

"I'm gonna tell you one thing why DC SCORES and H.D. Cooke is the best team and the best school in our community. H.D. Cooke knows how to help kids." - Eric, 10

FROM THE ARCHIVES

BLOGS

4.29.2013: Feeling empowered to fight homelessness
1.17.2015: Poem of the Week, H.D. Cooke Elementary School

VIDEOS

12.2013: H.D. Cooke performs at Poetry Slam! 



4.29.2013: Service-learning